Framework for Satellite-Based EO Monitoring in the Government

2nd Arctic and High-Latitude Products Evolution and Validation Workshop

Norrkoping, October 27-28, 2015 Yves Crevier, Guy Aube [email protected] [email protected]

1 Guiding Principles

"Technology and science are only as good as our ability to use the information they provide"

"The successes are dependent on our ability to relay the information the final mile to the people"

Marine Scientist, No. 17, 2006 About the tsunami warning system

2 Success Indicators

"Technology and science are only as good as our ability to use the information they provide"

"The successes are dependent on our ability to relay the information the final mile to the people"

Marine Scientist, No. 17, 2006 About the tsunami warning system

3 Issues and Motivation – General Statements • Why the Arctic • Vulnerability to climate change • Growing pressure on ecosystems • Lack of knowledge (measurements, monitoring, prediction, etc.) • Needs for a better monitoring approach • Current traditional monitoring approaches can’t meet the challenges inherent to the time and geographical scale required to assess the integrity of ecosystems in the Arctic • Variables are not measured in situ in sufficient density to be useful to support the decision making process • Why EO • In situ monitoring is essential, but too expensive to meet all the needs, obligations and requirements • Provides robust, repeatable, and reliable observations over long time-scales and large spatial-scales • Provide an alternative for the monitoring in harsh, inhospitable and difficult to access environment. 4

APVE1 - Workshop Conclusions

• Confirmed the importance of all “contributors” in the value chain in order to make sense out of the space-based collected data • Succeeded in stimulating the networking on activities (science driven, products driven, requirements driven, etc.) • Provided a framework for exploring opportunities for partnership and contribution • Exposure to cross-sectoral approaches to common Arctic issues - contributions ranging from new research to services

• No formal consensus, but definite focus, on science trends on Arctic issues (i.e. timely and reliable data, interoperability, validation, etc.) • Still valid question - What can this group do, as federated under the APVE objectives, to influence the space agencies agenda and investment portfolio for Arctic product validation and evolution?

5 Canadian Context and APVE

6 Concept of Canadian EO Monitoring Framework for the Arctic

• Justified by the appetite for EO space data by government departments is constantly growing and becoming more diversified. • With the objective to assist government departments to ensure a more effective and efficient use and integration of EO space data in support national priorities. • Based on a coordinated approach with our partners (Government, Industry and Academic sectors) • Well anchored to a strong policy framework • Capitalizing on infrastructures, alliances, networks, capacity and expertise, diversified mandates, etc.

7 Focus

• Focus on the improvement of the effective use of satellite-based information and tools for land and marine monitoring; • Focus to increase the capacity of land and resource management systems to mobilize and apply the best available information and knowledge; • Focus on engaging a diverse set of stakeholders to better utilize satellite-based EO information and application knowledge to support operational needs; and • Focus to align user requirements, improve data use efficiencies, increase capacity, ensure interoperability, expand human capital, and guide proof of concept of multiple applications.

8 Assets

• A network of satellite reception stations (Gatineau, Prince Albert, Aldergrove, Masstown, Inuvik, +). • A series of National and third party missions (RADARSAT series, and reception and processing foreign missions + future missions). • A network of Arctic Stations (Northern research facilities) including stations managed by the Federal Government, Provincial and Territorial Government, and the academic sector. • Federated research Networks (i.e. ArcticNet, SAON, etc.). • World class science and expertise. • Data processing infrastructures and portals leading towards a “SAF” model. • Strong policy frameworks (Polar Knowledge Canada, Northern Strategy, Arctic Council and Arctic Foreign Policy, etc.).

9 10 11 1. Aurora Research Institute (ARI), Aurora College, Inuvik, NWT 2. Alert Observatory, Environment Canada, Alert, 3. Field Station, Université Laval, Bylot Island, Nunavut 4. Canadian Polar Commission, Ottawa, Ontario 5. Centre d'études nordiques (CEN), Université Laval, Nunavut and Nunavik 6. Churchill Northern Studies Centre, Churchill, Manitoba 7. Eureka Weather Station, Environment Canada, Eureka, Nunavut 8. Institute, Memorial University of Newfoundland, Goose bay, Labrador and Newfoundland 9. La Peruse Bay, University of Toronto, Churchill, Manitoba 10. McGill Arctic Research Station (MARS), McGill University, Axel Heiberg, Nunavut 11. Nunavut Research Institute, , , Nunavut 12. Polar Continental Shelf Project (PCSP), Natural Resources Canada, Resolute, Nunavut 13. Polar Environment Atmospheric Research Laboratory (PEARL), University of Toronto, Eureka, Nunavut 14. Quajisarvik Research Network, The Nunavik Research Centre (Makivik Corporation), Centre d'études nordiques (Université Laval) and the Umiujaq field station (Makivik Corporation), Nunavik, 15. , Parks Canada, Pond Inlet, Nunavut 16. National Park, Parks Canada, Nain, Labrador 17. Walker Bay Research Station, Government of Nunavut, Kitikmeot, Nunavut 18. Yukon College, Whitehorse, Yukon

12 13 Mutual Responsibility Under APVE

Space Agencies Stakeholders • Provide end-users with missions and • Responsible for science exploitable EO-based data and ensure advancements, validation and mission or data-stream continuity evolution of products • Increase efforts on the downstream • Ensure increased awareness on the segment of the EO Value chain use of EO satellite data and products • Assume openness for - and stimulate • Focus attention on the generation of a multi-sectoral and multi-level derived (relevant, reliable, collaboration framework for improved sustainable, documented and cost- usage satellite-based data and derived efficient) information products and services

Complex programmatic framework Complex science issues

14 Summary

Facts: – Polar regions are significantly affected by the impacts of climate change – commonly accepted statement – Polar issues = Global issues – National and International Policies are being articulated to better monitor the poles and enhance our understanding of the impacts of climate changes – The most flourishing period for Earth observation – “Golden Age” – Moved from observations era to a measurements era

The Space agencies and the science communities share the common responsibility of maintaining an open dialogue in order to put the “best minds” at work using the best technology assets possible on Polar issues.

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